Monday, March 2, 2009

Insert Foot In Mouth Here

It always happens...karma, never one to be fooled, usually steps in and kicks you right in the butt when you least expect it.

Last month My Guy and I were sitting at the dinner table with the kids discussing his recent stint at jury duty. We talked about what it usually entails-wasting an entire day doing a whole lot of nothing-and the duties that befall a juror, if you are chosen to actually serve on a jury. The kids had a ton of questions about the kind of jury trials you could serve on and why. We gave them the whole "it's your civic duty" speech and explained how our legal system works and how in the end, some people's fate lies in the hands of a jury made up of their "peers".

The kids were a most captive audience. They asked questions about how one gets called to jury duty. They wanted to know about murder trials and armed robbery trials and the like, and were facinated by the fact that ordinary people would be responsible for a defendants fate. We talked about the OJ trial, a perfect example of how 12 ordinary people had their lives turned upside down for many months because of their "civic duty".

We told them that while all that trial stuff sounds glamorous and somewhat exciting, usually jury duty amounts to nothing more than a day wasted, spent sitting in the court house in a room with lots of strangers, waiting to be called for a trial. More of a supreme inconvienience than anything else, and that jury duty, for most people, was not looked upon as a favorable task.

Then I did it-I committed the biggest karmic error....I matter-of-factly said, "I used to get called for jury duty a lot when I was younger. I must have completed more than my share because I haven't been called to jury duty in about 10 years."

Of course, it should really be of no suprise to me or anyone who is reading this that this arrived in my mail on Friday afternoon.

I should have kept my big mouth shut.


24 comments:

Verdant Earl said...

Always happens that way.

You could always pretend like you never received the questionnaire. ;

will said...

You do know they have secret satellites that do nothing but listen in on dinner conversations.

Piece o' Coconut Cake said...

You forgot to knock on wood after saying that! Did you get my email about Playa?

Cowguy said...

Show up at the first pool dressed as a civic minded clown.

Thank me now, thank me later, it matters not.

Your hero,
J

SkylersDad said...

Let me tell you what always works for me. March into the courtroom when you get called, point directly at the judge and declare "That man looks guilty as hell!"

Let us know how it works out for you...

Ms. Florida Transplant said...

At the very least you might get some blog material out the day...

LegalMist said...

Bummer. I always resent the day wasted, because I know it is so unlikely that I'll ever be actually seated as a juror, since I'm an attorney.

But as an attorney, I fully appreciate the citizens who show up to do their job. We really could not function without them.

And most trials last a day or two, or perhaps a week, and most jurors are not "sequestered," so the disruption is fairly minimal. The O.J. trial was really an anomaly (on a lot of levels).

I will hope you either get picked for a half-day trial (wouldn't that be sort of fun?), or get sent home within the first couple of hours because all their trials got canceled for the day!

Tash said...

You go, you civic minded person, you!

Gwen said...

Being a city resident and voter I get called every two years, like clockwork. I get past voir dire every time even though I'm a paralegal.

I may show up dressed like clown next time. (Thanks, Jace!)

Cora said...

Last time I was summoned for jury duty I was nine months pregnant. I called on the phone and said "I'm nine months pregnant" and they told me I was excused. They didn't even ask for any proof!!!!

So, I just jinxed myself too, didn't I? I'll get my jury duty summons any day now, won't I? Crud.

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh, SNAP! :-)

Andy - Instafather said...

Second blogger I've seen today (Alexis is other) that got summoned. Wonder if I'll get my chance. I actually want to so I can blog the crap out of it.

Heff said...

Oh, Dayum !!!!

I got stuck with that krap once. GRAND JURY. 5 SOLID DAYS.

The Dental Maven said...

Just a few days ago I was thinking about how long its been since my last jury duty. I'm convinced your post is a message to me from the judicial gods. Arghhhh.

h said...

Should have knocked on wood. Trolls NEVER get called for Jury Duty but it'd be amusing if we did.

Joanie said...

Bring a really good book with you. I get called every 3 years like clock work. I've never been on a jury though. Got close once. My boyfriend is a security guard, so I'm usually excused. And I was mugged once.

Slyde said...

i did the same thing over the summer.. i said it, and i got called within 2 weeks...

thankfully they never called my number that week.

Scope said...

That would be an example I would cite of God's sense of humor.

Jen W said...

Ha! That's the way life always seems to work.

John D. said...

Ooops.

That's all I'm saying.

; )

Just Jules said...

I am as serious as I can be here - walk in carrying the thickest news worthy newpaper published in your area and a John Grisham novel and look at them intently as you wait your turn.

You will get passed EVERY time.

Sassy Britches said...

Shut UP---look how it ACTUALLY says "Jury duty: your civic obligation" on the envelope! Ahahaha! (am knocking on wood now).

katrocket said...

On the bright side, Jury Duty did wonderous things for Pauly Shore.

Fancy Schmancy said...

Too funny, hope you have a big book to read!